Ten Hard Truths You Need to Know if Your Teen is Experimenting With Drugs or Alcohol with Brenda Zane

ABOUT THE EPISODE:
It's a hard place to be, parenting a teen who you suspect is experimenting with alcohol or drugs, or both. This episode provides listeners with ten hard truths you need to know in this situation. Host, Brenda Zane shares her perspective and knowledge from living through many years with her son who struggled with substance use, defiance, and at-risk behavior. It's a must-listen for worried parents who aren't afraid to hear proactive, practical, yet sometimes hard things they need to do to steer their child in a positive direction. You'll hear details around these 10 truths:

1. it's probably more than what they're telling you. 
2. it's okay to search their room if you suspect that they're using drugs or alcohol. 
3. don't brush this off as a phase. 
4. kids are dying of overdose who are not addicted to drugs. 
5. you're going to have to learn some new skills and adopt a new mindset about substance use. 
6. you're going to have to look at your own substance use.
7. you'll need to find out what the problem is because it's not drugs or alcohol. 
8. if you have a current or ex-spouse or partner, you're going to have to get on the same page. 
9. get professional help before you think you need it. 
10. you absolutely DO influence your teen's behavior and beliefs.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Kids tend to understate their substance use (research)
• Places to search where kids hide drugs 
• Cannabis potency (research) 
• U.S. Surgeon General Vaping Advisory
• CDC Illicit fentanyl information
• Signs of drug addiction
• Partnership for Drug Free Kids website & resources
• Find a therapist - Psychology Today Therapist Finder Tool
• Parents influence on teen’s substance use

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